REPAIRS and cleaning of the monsoon drain along Jalan Pinggiran 3/4, Taman Pinggiran Batu Caves, Selangor, will start in mid-February.
In a statement to StarMetro, Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) said the repair and cleaning works would be a one-off operation this year.
“DID will apply for a budget to maintain the monsoon drain regularly starting next year,” it said.
In a StarMetro article titled “Batu Caves residents struggle with flash floods” on Jan 4, it was reported that landslides had damaged the wall of the monsoon drain.
This led to frequent flash floods in the area as the debris clogging the drain caused water to backflow into the perimeter drains outside the nearby houses.
From October to December last year, floods affected houses in the area six times, according to a resident there.
The resident also said 13 houses along Jalan Pinggiran 3/3, the street adjacent to Jalan Pinggiran 3/4, were built about 0.6m lower than the monsoon drain and road, making them more prone to flooding.
StarMetro visited the site on Jan 21 and found the monsoon drain still clogged and choked with vegetation.
A Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) spokesperson said it was aware of the issue and would inspect the site. ― By LEW GUAN XI
